Reasons We Serve: Police Careers & Officer Experience

Erik is an active-duty police officer and host of the podcast Two Cops, One Donut. In this episode, we discuss challenges facing law enforcement today, including verbal and physical skills, and the potential for standardizing policing in the United States. We also discuss the difference between older officers and the new generation beginning their careers.

Erik discusses why he joined the military and ultimately what made him choose a career in law enforcement.

His show Two Cops One Donut can be found on major platforms to include; https://twocopsonedonut.com https://www.facebook.com/2Cops1Donut/ https://www.instagram.com/twocops_onedonut/ https://www.youtube.com/c/twocopsonedonut https://www.twitch.tv/twocopsonedonut https://open.spotify.com/show/4BGmIY1h8wY80Q58L1S5Wo https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-cops-1-donut/id1565682051

Interview with retired DEA Special Agent Lori Schwarzkopf Miller

Years of Service: 1991-2015

Growing up in a rural farm town in Iowa, Lori is the youngest of six siblings, all at least 10 years older. She attended a small Catholic school with eight boys and eight girls until high school when her graduating class grew to 187 kids.

Lori attended the University of Northern Iowa, starting as a Vocal Music major, switching later to Business, and finally graduating with a Criminology degree and a Business minor. During the Summer between her Sophomore and Junior years in college, Lori worked as an intern for the Dallas District Attorney's Office. Here, she met a DA investigator who sparked her interest in federal law enforcement.

On her 23rd birthday, 1991, Lori began her career with the DEA at the academy in Quantico, Virginia. After the academy, she was assigned to the Houston Field Division. In Houston, she learned the job while working on large-scale drug trafficking cases, marijuana eradication, money laundering, and the Mobile Enforcement Team.

Following her time in Houston, Lori worked in the Oakland Resident Office, the Special Operations Division, and the Seattle Field Division, where she was promoted to Group Supervisor.

Interview with retired Newport Beach PD SVU Detective David Syvock

Years of Service: 1988-2016

David was hired in 1988 by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. During his time with LACSD, David worked on patrol for the COPS Program and for the Community Action Team and worked for a period of time in Avalon, better known as Catalina Island.

In 2005, David, then 39, left the LACSD and was hired by the Newport Beach Police Department. As a Special Victims Unit Detective, David found his calling and felt he was really making a difference. He worked on cases involving adults and children and worked on the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Although rewarding, David admits it was hard work that took a mental toll on him, and in this interview, he discusses the aftermath of one of his coworkers who committed suicide.

Interview with retired Deputy Special Agent in Charge HSI John McCabe

Years of Service: 1991-2024

Born and raised in the Southside of Chicago, John comes from a long line of policemen including his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father who all worked for the Chicago Police Department.

John has had a long and storied career, starting with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas Police Department, Chicago Police Department, and Secret Service, and finally retiring with Homeland Security Investigations.

Throughout his career, John worked as a patrol officer, focusing on gangs and guns. He also investigated counterfeit currency, money laundering, and drug trafficking and worked on protective details.

From January to June 2023, John was assigned to HSI HQ as a liaison to the US Customs and Border Protection commissioner's office and as the HSI representative to DHS's Southwest Border Coordination Center.

Interview with retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's Gang Detective Knute "Goose" Grani

Years of Service: 1969-1984

In 1969, Goose was hired by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and began working in the jail. There, he spoke with the inmates and tried to learn everything he could about them. Goose talks about his interactions with inmates, including a fascinating story about Charles Manson.

Goose talks about his time on patrol and working with Operation Safe Streets and the difference between working in Hispanic versus black neighborhoods. During this interview, we discuss potential reasons for why people commit crimes and Goose tells many interesting stories including one involving a very young Suge Knight.

Goose briefly discusses a shooting that resulted in his partner's death and the residual effects of survivor's guilt. Goose finally discusses his time as a gang detective and what it was like dealing with people who were committing crimes versus those in the community who wanted nothing to do with those same gang members.

Interview with Robert "RJ" Thomas retired Navy Seal.

Years of Service: 1963-1995

This is Episode 100, featuring Navy Seal RJ Thomas, who has been twice nominated for the Medal of Honor and is a recipient of the Navy Cross.

On March 23, 1969, United States Navy Seal Robert J “R.J.” Thomas was flying in one of two Seawolf helicopters that were on a scouting mission near Nuy Da Dung Mountain in Vietnam. As the helicopter approached the mountain, they came under heavy weapons fire and were shot down from about 300 feet with no time for the helicopter to autorotate. RJ was hanging out the side door on a gunner belt when several rounds came through the helo, fragmenting and hitting him in the chest. As the helicopter hit the ground, RJ was thrown about 40 feet from the helicopter crash. RJ was stripped of his sidearm, and his Stoner 64A machine gun had been bent, rendering it inoperable. He had compression-fractured vertebrae and multiple impact wounds to his torso, knee, and hand, and his nose was nearly torn from his face. RJ made his way back to the helicopter, which was now on fire. RJ was able to drag the unconscious pilot Dick Barr from his seat and drag him away from the flames. It was around this time that the second helicopter landed and was able to drop door gunner Dan Riordan to assist, and both were able to get gunner Rick Abbott free and away from the helicopter. They were unable to save anyone else as the fire engulfed the helicopter. 

The enemy began moving toward the survivors to kill or capture them. As RJ observed his surroundings, he realized the only thing he had left to shoot was the pilot’s 1911A1 .45 pistol. The pilot had two fully loaded magazines as well as a chest strap with an extra 45-50 rounds. Shielding Barr’s body with his own and using Barr’s body and helmet as a stable platform, RJ began shooting the oncoming enemy. At some point, Barr regained consciousness and began loading magazines for Thomas as they went empty.

One thing in RJ’s favor was the fact that in order for the enemy to get to him, they had to come over a dike about 100 yards away. Each time the enemy would stick their heads up over the dike, RJ would shoot them. RJ was able to hold off the enemy for nearly 40 minutes with a handgun. A rescue helicopter was finally able to land, and as RJ gave a final push to load Barr into the helo, his back gave out, and he fell to the ground. It was at this point that an enemy fighter had rushed to the front of the helicopter where there were no weapons. As the fighter raised his rifle to shoot the rescuing helicopter pilots, RJ shot and killed him with his .45. RJ was finally able to make it back into the helicopter and took over the gunner’s position and the M60 machine gun. It was in this position that RJ delivered more retribution for his fallen comrades before the helicopter flew to safety.

It should be noted that as the rescue chopper came in and landed, its crew noticed many dead enemy soldiers lying on the ground. Their distances from the downed helo were from 3 to about 150 yards, all shot by RJ with his M1911 .45 ACP.

For his incredible courage under fire, the Army nominated RJ Thomas twice for the Medal of Honor but both times the nominations were denied. The Navy declined because RJ was an enlisted man and believed the first Medal of Honor should have been awarded to an officer. Thomas was instead awarded the second highest Navy medal, the Navy Cross, after acknowledging that Thomas had only killed one enemy soldier who had charged the helicopter. In addition to the Navy Cross, RJ was also awarded the Bronze Star, Combat V, Purple Heart, and Cross for Gallantry.

RJ Thomas retired in 1995 as a Commander. He won numerous firearms matches in the military and as a civilian. He qualified as a Distinguished Marksman with the handgun and rifle and for years was acknowledged as the best shooter in the Navy. Thomas is known for instituting the Naval Special Warfare Sniper program, and the people who worked for him say he was one of the best leaders they ever worked for.

Interview with former DEA Group Supervisor Mike Messier

Years of Service: 1995-2010

Mike joined the DEA after working as a stockbroker on Wall Street. He decided that the DEA was his calling, even with a substantial pay cut, and after graduating from the DEA academy in Quantico, VA, he was assigned to the San Diego office.

Mike began working on traditional drug trafficking cases and soon found his specialty, working on money laundering cases and tracking the illicit proceeds that are made as a result of the sale of illegal drugs coming across the Southern Border.

During his career, Mike was stationed in San Diego, assigned to Mexico City, and promoted to Group Supervisor. While stationed in Mexico, Mike was recruited by Bank Of America as a compliance/regulator.

Interview with retired King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detective Jon Holland

Years of Service: 1987-2019

Jon began his career in law enforcement with the South Salt Lake City, Utah Police Department. After two years, he moved to Washington State and began working for the King County Sheriff's Office, located just south of Seattle.

Jon started on patrol but gradually rose through the ranks, serving in the Street Crimes Team, Vice Unit, FBI Fugitive Task Force, and Special Assault Unit, before finally joining the Major Crimes Unit.

While in the Major Crimes Unit, Jon handled cold cases, violent crimes, and homicide investigations, and briefly participated in the Green River Killer investigation. 

Jon is the owner of Holland Polygraph, based in Southern California.

Interview with retired Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve Ruda

Years of Service: 1978-2019

In 1975, Steve attended the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Scholl and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He left active duty in 1978 at the rank of Captain.

In 1978, Steve joined the Los Angeles Fire Department, where he led a long and storied career spanning 40 years. Steve received the California State Firefighters Association’s Medal of Valor. He also holds three commendations for bravery, including the Medal of Merit, and in 2005 was selected as the Firefighter of the Year.

During this episode, Steve talks about leadership both in the Marines and LAFD and the qualities of what makes a good leader. During his 40 years, Steve was involved in the LA Riots of 1992, the floods of 1993 as well as the fires of 1993.

Interview with retired Los Angeles County Sheriff Homicide Detective Gil Carrillo

Years of Service: 1971-2009

Gil grew up in the 1970s in Los Angeles. As Gil explains, he was a lazy student who often hung around other young men who were going nowhere. At age 17, a police officer took an interest in Gil and recognized that if he didn’t get out of his environment, he was going to end up in jail or possibly dead. The officer brought Gil home one day and told his parents that if they didn’t sign Gil over to the military, they would probably lose their son.

Gil joined the military, served in Vietnam, and, as he tells it, changed his life. He came home with a new attitude and three goals. To graduate from college, to become a police officer, and to get back at his ex-girlfriend, who had sent him a dear John letter while he had been in Vietnam.

Gil joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at age 21 and became a correctional deputy. He soon was on patrol and then worked in plain clothes investigating gangs. With just 9 ½ years on the job, Gil joined the Homicide Unit where worked for over 21 years.

Gil is best known for being the co-lead on the Richard Ramirez “Night Stalker” case and, in this interview, discusses theories of the case that he had that no one else believed.

Gil also talks about how he was approached by George Lopez to host a podcast and what that experience was like.